Designated School Official

University Overview:

Since 1975, Sofia University has aspired to be a leader in transformative higher education offering students an education that transcends beyond a traditional learning environment. Students, staff, and faculty of Sofia are passionate individuals that recognize the need to be a part of something greater than themselves and seek opportunities that will provide them with the tools to empower themselves and their community. As Sofia continues to grow as a University, it remains committed to its transformative transpersonal values, as well as to maintaining a high-quality and diverse workforce representative of the community it services.

Sofia University is Western Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) accredited and offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs in the fields of psychology, business, and computer science. Located in Palo Alto and Costa Mesa, California, the University provides both on campus and online programs, giving students the flexibility to further an education rooted in transformative and transpersonal values, in a format that best suits their schedule and needs. Sofia University is an equal opportunity employer.

Position Overview:

As a key member of the International Student Office, the DSO provides a welcoming and supportive presence for international students, ensuring compliance with immigration regulations and supporting student success from admission to post-graduation. This role upholds Sofia’s commitment to global engagement through student services, regulatory expertise, and partnership development.

The DSO works under the direct PDSO’s instructions, guidance and supervision, and collaborates with all other University departments to support international student recruitment, assist in managing global partnerships and articulation agreements, and deliver essential services such as orientation, career resources, and compliance advising. This position is central to maintaining SEVIS records, coordinating with faculty and staff, and enhancing the student experience at Sofia campuses.

Aligned with Sofia University’s vision of transformative education and cultural humility, the DSO embodies the University’s values—Service, Stewardship, Academic Excellence, Emotional Awareness, and Innovation—in every aspect of their work.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the DSO for international students and ensure that required documentation, information and data are appropriately maintained and reported.
• Manage, input and accurately operate Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) data collection and tracking system.
• Ensure the system is current and accurate.
• Respond to requests for information or assistance as requested.
• Collaborate in providing support and assistance to all international students.
• Collaborate with the office of Student Services, Registrar’s Office and Admissions Department to efficiently on-board international students and prepare them for orientation and course attendance.
• Develop and implement educational workshops, lectures, social opportunities, and informative materials for international students.
• Meet face-to-face or virtually with international students on a regular basis and provide guidance and advice regarding their F-1 status, Optional Practical Training (OPT), Curricular Practical Training (CPT), travel documentation processes and all related matters.
• Possess and maintain an understanding of current trends in international student affairs and current immigration policies, issues, and procedures.
• Track, monitor and follow up with direct and indirect F-1 international student leads.
• Provide current information to incoming international students.
• Process of initial/transfer/change of status I-20 requests.
• Communicate with the appropriate departments and students to obtain supplementary visa documentation for the issuance of I-20’s.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for international student queries related to the F-1 visa application or SEVIS transfer process.
• Track and upload F-1 visa and compliance related content, documents, and Internship forms to our CRM system.
• Foster a high-touch environment of knowledge-sharing by supporting quarterly events at Sofia campuses, such as Orientation, information sessions, webinars, weekly advising hours or webinars sessions in array of F-1 visa related topics.
• Collaborate with the Marketing Team in updating the international student portal and other platforms, create and build new initiatives and collateral marketing materials.
• Collaborate with the Admissions Team and provide pertaining updates related to F-1 students and participate in weekly meetings.
• Provide support in on-ground course registration audits to ensure F-1 compliance with federal regulations.
• Assist with the Work Integrated Learning Internship (WIL) Program, Business Integration Practicum (BIP) Program, and processing of documents related to the Internship course.
• Review cooperative agreements, job offer letters and internship forms and maintain effective communication with the school’s Internship Faculty Advisor.
• Report any F-1 compliance related issues effectively to the PDSO, and assist in communicating with Admissions, Students Services, and Registrar Departments.
• Assist the PDSO in coordinating introductive or recurrent meetings with potential or current domestic and international partners and be the secondary point of contact between the partner and the school.
• Assist in the creation of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements with prospective international and domestic partners and assist with the creation of articulation agreements.
• Assist with onboarding new students to the campus and the University.
• Collaborate with all Academic Departments regarding Sofia students.
• Communicate with new students regarding mandatory trainings, ID cards, Housing Relocation, Health Insurance, Orientation, Seminars, and other services.
• Assist with editing and maintaining international student handbooks.
• Assist with Career Resources for international students.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the PDSO.

Qualifications:

• Must have earned Bachelor's degree at the time of application.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be able to serve as a DSO with ability to pass a required background check.
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience working as DSO is required.
• Strong knowledge of SEVIS documentation and reporting system required.
• Strong knowledge of F-1 Student Visa/Status-related laws, regulations and rules, and ability to conduct research of relevant federal statutes.
• Ability to understand and implement PDSO's guidance and instructions on departmental operations, regulatory interpretations and compliance matters.
• Ability to be proactive, and work under minimal supervision,to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced high volume processing environment, where precision and accuracy are essential.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Highly motivated self-starter with strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills with ability to troubleshoot complex issues and implement systemic solutions.
• Proficient with computer software including Excel, Word, Power Point.
• High energy, meticulous attention to detail, and keen organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a proactively diverse and inclusive culture and effectively collaborate with all Departments across the organization.
• This position requires regular on-campus presence of one to two days per week, with two or three days per quarter scheduled for a weekend day. Occasional travel (a few times per year) to the other University's campus may be necessary.
• Ability to manage sensitive and challenging issues and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communications skills, including the ability to deal sensitively and confidentially with critical issues.
• Excellent organizational, project management and time management skills, including the ability to work with deadlines.
• Independent initiative, sound judgment and developed decision-making abilities.
• Ethical commitment and ability to align with Sofia’s values and mission.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Valid/current SEVIS User ID.
• Experience as an Alternate/Responsible Officer for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
• Willingness and ability to also serve as an Alternate Responsible Officer for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
• Previous experience with University CRM or SIS platforms.
• Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration, Education, International Affairs, Counseling, or other related fields.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, or other languages.

Sofia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, and disability. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Human Resources Department at 888-820-1484 ext.10200.

Pay: $70,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a Bachelors degree and at least 2 years of DSO experience?
• Are you able to commit to two days a week on campus?
• Do you have a valid/current SEVIS user ID?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Palo Alto, CA 94303